Redesigned for the first time in a decade, the Mustang looks leaner and meaner for its sixth generation. This pony car is ready to tackle the curves.

For nearly 50 years, the Ford Mustang has stood for accessible and affordable American speed. Numerous challengers have come and gone through those five decades, yet Ford's Mustang is the original and still the only one that has been in production for all this time.

The Mustang has always been a fun machine that grabbed the soul of the driving enthusiast (we'll look past those soft core "King Cobra" 'Stangs of the 1970s). But this all-new 2015 model brings with it a renewed focus driving dynamics. And that means this should be the best-performing pony to ever wear that galloping horse badge.

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The sixth-generation Mustang has left many of the retro design cues in the past. The new pony car, set to arrive right in time for the model's 50th anniversary in April, is wrapped in a much sleeker, more shapely design that takes direct inspiration from Ford's 2011 Evos concept coupe. With that snake-like scowl, it looks menacing. Though this new Mustang doesn't share one body panel with the outgoing 2005-2014 model, it's nearly identical in size. The new Mustang rides on the same 107.1-inch wheelbase and is a mere fraction of an inch longer. But the stance is certainly more muscular, with a wider track to match the lower, sleeker fastback roofline. It looks hunkered down and tough.

Beneath the skin, drag racers might mourn the loss of the durable solid axle rear suspension—a Mustang staple for a half-century. But the rest of us are excited to feel the smoother ride and, more importantly, the more precise handling of the independent multilink rear suspension that all 2015 Mustangs will use. Up front, there's a re-engineered MacPherson strut setup mounted to a perimeter subframe. How much better will the new Mustang handle curves? Ford says that with the optional Performance Pack, a Mustang GT should now keep pace with the previous Boss 302. That's impressive. Ford says it will be the most nimble and best-braked Mustang the company has ever made.

Under the hood, the Mustang will offer three powerplants at first, starting with a standard 300-hp 3.7-liter V-6. The most interesting engine is the new twin-scroll turbocharged Ecoboost 2.3-liter four-cylinder that makes approximately 305 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. Think of it as perhaps the second coming of the SVO Mustang from the 1980s. This engine should offer both a weight and fuel economy advantage, and we're excited to sample it. Of course the venerable 5.0-liter V-8 is the top of the range. Thanks to new internals, Ford promises a bump from today's 402 hp and 377 lb-ft of torque (regular fuel) to figures past 420 hp and 396 lb-ft of torque. Unlike most cars today, all three engines can be paired to a six-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. In fact, Ford has even improved the shift linkage and shortened the throws of the manual to make it even more fun to drive.

Inside, the optional Selectable Drive Mode allows the adjustment in effort of the electric power steering, transmission shift points, engine response, and stability control intrusiveness that you'd expect from a more expensive sports car. But as long as you opt for the GT package, you'll get standard launch control for consistent (and quick) track times down the strip. The new interior is modern and fresh, with just a nod or two to the past, such as the "Mustang—Since 1964" badge that all 2015 Mustangs will wear.

And droptop fans haven't been left out. Convertible Mustangs now have a cloth top that's better insulated and raises and lowers twice as quickly as the last one. We can't wait to power down that top and point the nose of this new pony straight up California Highway 1.